More expensive than Xherdan Shaqiri! Chicago Fire confirm signing of Gent striker Hugo Cuypers as new Designated Player for club-record fee

The Fire paid a reported $12m for the Belgian striker, surpassing the $7.5m they paid for Shaqiri from Olympique Lyonnais in 2022. With the ambitious purchase comes the expectation of goals, and it appears Cuypers will be more than capable of that based on his track record at a competitive level with Gent.

“We’re thrilled to officially welcome Hugo Cuypers to the Club,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “We have been very focused on acquiring a striker in the prime of their career with a proven track record of scoring goals in a very competitive league. Hugo has been one of the leading goal-scorers in the Belgian first division over the last few seasons, and despite receiving interest from other teams, he had a very strong desire to join the Fire and help us achieve our goal of becoming one of the top clubs in MLS."

Cuypers notched 51 goals in 90 appearances for the Belgian side, with the 26-year-old arriving there in 2022. He's been prolific in his time in Belgium but 2023-24 saw a small downward turn in form arrive with just six goals in the First Division A this campaign. However, he's found success on the European stage in the Europa Conference League with three goals and one assist in five matches. The goal for the Fire will be to see that form transition into their campaign this season - and potentially more - as they enter one of the busiest MLS calendars to date.

The Eastern Conference MLS side are currently in preseason mode, with the 2024 campaign just weeks away, however. Their first match of the season arrives against Jim Curtin's Philadelphia Union on Saturday, February 24. Until then, they'll look to get Cuypers into the club as soon as possible and fix him into their system alongside Shaqiri and Co.